Rate-saving shipping label



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. J. CURRAN RATE-SAVING SHIPPING LABEL PIG. 5

48 ADDRESSEQ I \YCI WA: 1:

FROM

Nov. 21, 1967 Filed June 9,

INVENTOR Jerimiah J Curran dii United States Patent 3,353,845 RATE-SAVING SHIPPING LABEL .lerimiah .l. Curran, 1310 Jackson Ave., River Forest, Ill. 60305 Filed June 9, 1966, Ser. No. 556,371 7 Claims. (Cl. 282-23) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rate-saving shipping label to be filled out completely and attached to a package by an originating addresser. The label includes a rear sheet containing at least the name and address of an ultimate addressee and a detachable front sheet overlying the portion of the rear sheet containing the name and address of the ultimate addressee. An exposed portion of the label contains the name and address of an intermediate addressee. Thus, the label is effective to direct a package from an addresser to an intermediate addressee with the name and address of the ultimate addressee concealed, and thence to the ultimate addressee after removal of the front sheet by the intermediate addressee.

This invention relates to a rate-saving shipping label, and more particularly to a shipping label for directing a package from a sender to an intermediate addressee and thence to an ultimate addressee.

The present shipping label is designed especially for use by a sender who at a given time has a number of packages for shipment to different ultimate addressees but which first are to be sent to a common intermediate addressee for the purposes of routing same to the ultimate addressees and of determining the shipping charges.

By way of specific example, a US. manufacturer desires to ship numerous packages at one time to customers in one or more foreign countries. The manufacturer is not acquainted with the best transportation media or the shipping charges for making the shipments to the various foreign countries, and accordingly desires to engage the services of a specialist in these matters. Thus, the manufacturer is concerned with the problem of shipping the addressed packages from his location to that of the specialist (intermediate addressee) at minimum expense.

Prevailing shipping rates contemplate a minimum charge per package on all packages traveling from the sender to the foreign mailing specialist. However, a number of small packages can be grouped together under a single minimum shipping charge provided they all are addressed to the intermediate addressee and do not bear the exposed names and addresses of the ultimate addressees.

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a shipping label which can be filled out completely by the originating sender or addresser, and which will route the package first to an intermediate addressee and thence to an ultimate addressee.

Another object is to provide such a label wherein the name and address of the ultimate addressee is concealed until such a time as the package containing the label is received by the intermediate addressee. The label then is altered readily and slightly by the intermediate addressee who, after determining the shipping charges and applying proper instructions, if any, forwards the package in the selected manner to the ultimate addressee.

In a certain class of shipping service, for example, an originator using the labels of the invention can save nine-tenths or more of the cost of shipping a plurality of packages to an intermediate addressee.

Other objects, advantages and details of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein various forms of the invention are shown. It is to be understood that thedescription and drawing are exemplary only, and that the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shipping label embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in exploded form of the label shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view, broken away in part, of a modified label embodying the invention.

. FIG. 4 is a side elevational view in exploded form of the label shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shipping label embodying the invention includes a rear sheet 5 adapted to be secured to a package (not shown) by suitable means such as an adhesive diagrammatically indicated by broken lines 6 in FIG. 2. Lower area 7 of rear sheet 5 is adapted to have the name and address of an intermediate addressee applied thereto as indicated at 8 (FIG. 1).

Upper area 10 of rear sheet 5 (FIG. 2) is adapted to have the names and addresses of the sender or addresser and the ultimate addressee applied thereto, but this area of rear sheet 5 is covered by another part of the label during shipment from the addresser to the intermediate addressee, as next will be seen.

A front sheet 15 covers upper area 10 of rear sheet 5. Rear and front sheets 5 and 15 may be integral and folded at the top, or initially separate as shown in FIG. 2. If the latter, top marginal portion 16 of front sheet 15 is secured to top marginal portion 17 of rear sheet 5 as by adhesive diagrammatically indicated by 18. Also, bottom marginal portion 19 of front sheet 15 is secured in use to rear sheet 5 as by adhesive diagrammatically shown at 20. It will be noted, of course, that when front sheet 15 is in place, the name and address of the intermediate addressee on lower area 7 of rear sheet 5 are exposed so as to be effective in directing the package in the initial shipment from the addresser to the intermediate addressee.

An area 22 of front sheet 15 is adapted to have the name and address 23 of the addresser applied thereto, functioning, of course, as the return address for the initial shipment to the intermediate addressee.

Front sheet 15 is adapted to be removed from the label by the intermediate addressee prior to shipping the package to the ultimate addressee. Following removal of front sheet 15, addressers return address and the name and address of the ultimate addressee, previously mentioned as appearing on upper area 10 of rear sheet 5, are exposed for service in directing the package to the ultimate addressee.

The portion of the illustrated label so far described is effective to perform the various functions of the invention. However, the additional features next to be described render the label more convenient in use.

Referring to FIG. 1, an area 25, outlined by the rectangle shown in broken line, on the lower portion of front sheet 15 has obliterations 26 throughout, although they are shown only in part. These obliterations are adapted to mask the name and address of the ultimate addressee, shown in broken line 27, applied, as by typewriter or pen, on area 25 containing the obliterations.

Transfer means 30 (FIG. 2) cooperates with front sheet 15 and is effective to apply to upper area 10 of rear sheet 5 the information applied to. front sheet 15. As mentioned, this information comprises the names and addresses 23 and 27 of the addresser and ultimate addressee.

In the illustrated label, transfer means 30 is a sheet of at carbon paper 31 (FIG. 2) secured to the rear surface of front sheet 15 near the top thereof as by adhesive diagrammatically designated 32. Means 30 also contemplates that sheets 5 and 15 may comprise so-called N.C.R. paper (no carbon required), and the claims are to be construed accordingly.

To facilitate uniform and ready removal of front sheet 15 by the intermediate addressee, the illustrated label is provided with two score lines of weakness. Bottom marginal portion 19 of top sheet 15 which is secured to rear sheet 5 is related to the remainder of the top sheet by a score line 35 designated by a row of dots in FIG. 1 and broken lines in FIG. 2. Thus, front sheet 15 is readily separable along this score line of weakness.

The other score line of weakness is located near the top of rear sheet 5. The line is indicated by broken line and row of dots 36 in FIG. 1 and by broken lines 36 in FIG. 2. Thus, an upper portion of rear sheet 5 and carbon paper 31 is removed along with the removable portion of front sheet 15.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a translucent or opaque sheet 37 may be provided to overlie area 25 on the lower portion of front sheet 15, the overlying sheet 37 secured to sheet 15 by adhesive diagrammatically shown at 38. This will enable the writer or typist to see What has been written for an accuracy check, after which sheet 37 is torn away. If overlie sheet 37 is used, it is unnecessary, of course, to provide obliterations 26.

To insure clean and uniform removal of front sheet 15 and the upper portion of rear sheet 5 by the intermediate addressee, the illustrated label includes a strip 40 of reinforcing material secured to the rear face of the top marginal portion of rear sheet 5 as by adhesive diagrammatically indicated by 41. Strip 40, preferably, has a non-adhesive characteristic so that it will separate readily from the package to which the label is affixed.

In use, the illustrated label easily is filled out by the addresser and applied to a package. If the label initially is blank, the addresser writes or types addressers name and address 23, ultimate addressees name and address 27 and name and address 8 of the intermediate addressee at the places indicated.

A quantity of small packages making up a volume or total weight of packages which can be shipped to the intermediate addressee at a minimum charge are grouped together and so shipped with the front sheets 15 of the labels concealing the names and addresses of the ultimate addressees. The intermediate addressee, upon receipt of the packages, removes the front sheets 15, applies shipping charges and instructions, and delivers the individual packages to the proper carriers for shipment to the ultimate addressees.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from the FIG. 1, 2 form in two main respects.

Firstly, the upper portion of the upper area of the rear sheet (the portion containing the name and address of the addresser) always is exposed, that is, this portion initially is not covered by the front sheet. Thus, addressers name and address may be imprinted directly on this portion of the rear sheet, rather than be applied thereto from the front sheet by a transfer means as in the case of the FIG. 1, 2 form.

Secondly, the portion of the label torn away by the intermediate addressee separates at the bottom of the rear sheet rather than at the top. Thus, the strip of reinforcing material is located on the bottom rear face of the rear sheet instead of on the top rear face.

The transfer means and the overlie sheet, if used, are similarly located and function similarly in both forms of the invention, as will be seen.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the label shown includes a rear sheet 45 adapted to be secured to a package (not shown) by adhesive diagrammatically indicated by broken lines 46 in FIG. 2. Upper area 47 of rear sheet 45 is 3 adapted to have the name and address of the addresser applied thereto as indicated at 48 (FIG. 3).

Intermediate area Stl (FIG. 4) of rear sheet 45 is adapted to have the name and address 51 (FIG. 3) of the ultimate addressee applied thereto, but this area of rear sheet 45 is covered by another part of the label during shipment from the addresser to the intermediate addressee, as will be seen.

Lower area '52 (FIG. 4) of rear sheet 50 optionally may have applied thereto the name and address 53 (FIG. 3) of the intermediate addressee. This name and address, however, appears on another part of the label during shipment to the intermediate addressee, as will be seen.

A front sheet 55 covers areas 5% and 52 of rear sheet 45. The top marginal portion 56 of front sheet 55 is secured to rear sheet 45 by adhesive diagrammatically indicated by 57. The lower marginal portion 58 of front sheet 55 is secured to rear sheet 45 by adhesive diagrammatically indicated at 59.

The form shown in FIGS. 34 also includes a transfer means 60 disposed between rear and front sheets 45 and 55. This transfer means 60 as illustrated is a sheet of carbon paper 61, but it is understood, as before, that sheets 45 and 55 may comprise so-called N.C.R. paper. As shown, carbon paper 61 is secured by adhesive 62 to rear sheet 45.

Upper area 65 of top sheet 55, as shown, contains obliterations 66 designated by heavy dots in FIG. 3 and by heavy line in FIG. 4. With this arrangement, the name and address of the ultimate addressee may be applied by handwriting or typewriter in obscured manner to obliterations 66 of top sheet 55, a transfer occurring to imprint the name and address. on area 56 of rear sheet 45.

The name and address 53 of the intermediate addressee is adapted to be applied to area 68 of top sheet 55, this name and address being transferred by transfer means 66 to area 52 of rear sheet 45.

Lower marginal portion 70 of rear sheet 45 is related to the remainder of the sheet by a score line of weakness 71 (FIG. 3), diagrammatically shown by broken lines in FIG. 4. Similarly, upper marginal portion 56 of front sheet 55 is related to the remainder of the sheet by a score line of weakness 73 (FIG. 3), shown diagrammatically by broken lines in FIG. 4.

A strip of reinforcing material 75 is secured by adhesive 76 to the rear face of lower marginal portion 70 of rear sheet 45. As before, strip 75 separates readily from the package when the intermediate addressee tears away front sheet 55 and the lower marginal portion 70 of rear sheet 45 at the score lines 73 and 71.

The form shown in FIGS. 3-4 optionally may have an overlie sheet 80, secured in place by adhesive 81, initially masking at least area 65 of front sheet 55 which otherwise contains obliterations 66. When overlie sheet 80 is used, obliterations 66 are unnecessary. The name and address 51 of the ultimate addressee are written or typed on overlie sheet 80 with consequent transfer to area 50 of rear sheet 45. After the name and address are checked for accuracy on overlie sheet 80, the sheet is removed and discarded by the addresser.

Both forms of the invention function essentially the same and are effective to yield substantial savings in the shipping charges required for sending a quantity of small packages from an addresser to an intermediate addressee. The latter simply removes the label portion covering the name and address of the ultimate addressee and reships the packages in the channels selected.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A rate-saving shipping label comprising:

a rear sheet adapted to be secured to a package, the upper area thereof adapted to have the names and addresses of the addresser and the ultimate addressee applied thereto;

a front sheet covering at least the portion of said upper area of said rear sheet containing the name and address of the ultimate addressee and itself devoid of said name and address in readable form, the top marginal portion of said front sheet secured in use to said rear sheet and the bottom marginal portion of said front sheet secured to said rear sheet, the lower area of the label having the name and address of the intermediate addressee applied thereto, said front sheet adapted to be removed from the label by .the intermediate addressee prior to shipping the pack-age to the ultimate addressee, thereby exposing the name and address of the ultimate addressee; and

transfer means between said rear and front sheets adapted to be removed from the label by the intermediate =addressee with said front sheet, said transfer means eifective to apply to said rear sheet the ultimate addressee information applied to said front sheet, said front sheet having masking means on the area adapted to have the name and address of the ultimate addressee applied thereto, said masking means precluding the name and address of the ultimate addressee from appearing on said front sheet, whereby the label is effective to direct a package from an addresser to an intermediate addressee with the name and address of the ultimate addressee concealed, and thence to the ultimate addressee after removal of the front sheet by the intermediate addressee.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein masking means comprise oblitenations on said front sheet.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said masking means comprises an overlie sheet receiving the name and address of the ultimate addressee for an accuracy check, after which said overlie sheet is torn away prior to shipment to the intermediate addressee.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the top marginal portion of said rear sheet is related to the remainder of the sheet by a score line of weakness for ready sepanation, wherein the top marginal portion of said front sheet is secured to said top marginal portion of said rear sheet, and wherein said bottom marginal portion of said front sheet is related to the remainder of the sheet by a score line of weakness for ready separation.

5. The combination of claim 4 with the addition of a strip of reinforcing material secured to the rear face of said top marginal portion of said rear sheet, said strip of reinforcing material adapted to separate readily from a package.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bottom marginal portion of said rear sheet is related to the remainder of the sheet by a score line of weakness for ready separation, and wherein the top marginal edge of said front sheet is related to the remainder of the sheet by a score line of weakness for ready separation.

7. The combination of claim 6 with the addition of a strip of reinforcing material secured to the rear face of the bottom marginal portion of said rear sheet, said strip of reinforcing material adapted to separate readily from a package.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,506,015 5/1950 Doepke 2s2 24 3,243,204 3/1966 Schwab et a1 2s2 23 3,261,623 7/1966 Kiedrowski 282-25 FOREIGN PATENTS 553,606 6/1932 Germany.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RATE-SAVING SHIPPING LABEL COMPRISING: A REAR SHEET ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO A PACKAGE, THE UPPER AREA THEREOF ADAPTED TO HAVE THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE ADDRESSER AND THE ULTIMATE ADDRESSEE APPLIED THERETO; A FRONT SHEET COVERING AT LEAST THE PORTION OF SAID UPPER AREA OF SAID REAR SHEET CONTAINING THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ULTIMATE ADDRESSEE AND ITSELF DEVOID OF SAID NAME AND AND ADDRESS IN READABLE FORM, THE TOP MARGINAL PORTION OF SAID FRONT SHEET SECURED IN USE TO SAID REAR SHEET AND THE BOTTOM MARGINAL PORTION OF SAID FRONT SHEET SECURED TO SAID REAR SHEET, THE LOWER AREA OF THE LABEL HAVING THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE INTERMEDIATE ADDRESSEE APPLIED THERETO, SAID FRONT SHEET ADAPTED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE LABEL BY THE INTERMEDIATE ADDRESSEE PRIOR TO SHIPPING THE PACKAGE TO THE ULTIMATE ADDRESSEE, THEREBY EXPOSING THE SAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ULTIMATE ADDRESSEE AND TRANSFER MEANS BETWEEN SAID REAR AND FRONT SHEETS ADAPTED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE LABEL BY THE INTERMEDIATE ADDRESSEE WITH SAID FRONT SHEET, SAID TRANSFER MEANS EFFECTIVE TO APPLY TO SAID REAR SHEET THE ULTIMATE ADDRESSEE INFORMATION APPLIED TO SAID FRONT SHEET, SAID FRONT SHEET HAVING MASKING MEANS ON THE AREA ADAPTED TO HAVE THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ULTIMATE ADDRESSEE APPLIED THERETO, SAID MASKING 